Brussels Invest & Export — Complete Guide 2026

Brussels Invest & Export is the international trade and investment division of hub.brussels, the Brussels-Capital Region’s agency for business support. It serves two core missions: helping Brussels-based companies expand into foreign markets, and attracting international companies to establish operations in the Brussels region.

Unlike Flanders’ FIT or Wallonia’s AWEX, Brussels Invest & Export operates within the broader hub.brussels ecosystem, which also covers domestic business support, startup acceleration, and urban economic development. This integration means Brussels companies can access export support alongside other business development programs through a single agency.

The agency maintains a network of economic and trade representatives in over 100 countries, providing Brussels businesses with local market intelligence, partner identification, and logistical support for international activities. For companies based in the Brussels-Capital Region, this network is the primary gateway to structured international expansion support.

Brussels Invest & Export offers financial support for international prospection activities. Brussels-based SMEs can receive subsidies for participating in international trade fairs, undertaking market exploration trips, and commissioning export-related market studies. The subsidies typically cover 50% of eligible costs, with maximum amounts varying by activity type.

The agency also organises collective trade missions to strategic markets. These government-led delegations give Brussels companies access to pre-arranged B2B meetings, networking events, and local market briefings. Trade missions are particularly valuable for companies entering markets where they have no existing contacts or distribution channels.

Beyond financial support, Brussels Invest & Export provides personalised advisory services. Companies can request tailored market analyses, competitive intelligence reports, and strategic guidance on market entry approaches. The agency’s trade representatives abroad serve as a company’s first point of contact in unfamiliar markets.

Brussels Invest & Export actively promotes the Brussels-Capital Region as a business location for international companies. The agency offers site selection assistance, regulatory guidance, talent market information, and introductions to the local business ecosystem. Brussels’ position as the capital of the EU and home to NATO, plus its multilingual workforce, make it an attractive destination for international headquarters and European operations.

For Brussels-based companies, inward investment strengthens the local economy, creates partnership opportunities, and deepens the supply chain. The agency works to connect international newcomers with established Brussels businesses wherever collaboration potential exists.

International companies benefit from Brussels’ competitive tax environment, regional grant programs, and access to a highly educated, multilingual talent pool. Hub.brussels provides dedicated account managers for larger investment projects.

Export support programs are primarily available to SMEs with their registered office or main establishment in the Brussels-Capital Region. The company must be in good standing with social security and tax obligations. Both established companies and startups can apply, though some programs require minimum operational history.

The key criterion is genuine international ambition — Brussels Invest & Export evaluates whether the company has a credible plan for international expansion and the operational capacity to execute it. Companies must be able to demonstrate that the requested support will lead to concrete international business development.

Investment attraction services are available to international companies of any size considering Brussels as a location for new operations, expansion, or European headquarters. There is no cost for these advisory services.

The starting point is hub.brussels, where companies can register and access the full range of business support services. For export support, companies submit applications through the hub.brussels portal, specifying the international activity they want support for and the expected business outcomes.

Applications are reviewed based on the company’s profile, the quality of the international project, and the expected economic impact for the Brussels region. Processing times vary by program but typically range from 2 to 6 weeks. Companies can apply for multiple programs simultaneously.

BelGrant’s AI assistant Lucas can help you identify which Brussels Invest & Export programs match your company profile and guide you through the application process. Use the export grants overview to compare programs across all three Belgian regions.